Guitar Center recently launched its 26th annual search for the next great drummer. Developed to inspire and support on-the-rise musicians, the Drum-Off has proven to be a launching pad for a flourishing professional career as a drummer. Past Drum-Off winners have gone on to play with Prince and Beyoncé (Cora Coleman-Dunham), Mars Volta and Trash Talk (Thomas Pridgen), and Jay-Z (Tony Royster Jr.). As Guitar Center’s longest running program, Drum-Off continues to unearth some of today’s top undiscovered drummers and provide an excellent platform for exposure.

Starting now, drummers can sign-up for the Drum-Off at any of Guitar Center’s 260 locations in the US. Free and open to drummers across the country, entrants will compete for a chance to win a grand-prize package valued at over $45,000 that includes cash, gear, endorsement deals, and magazine features.

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off begins with store preliminary competitions at 245 Guitar Center locations. Contestants will be judged on a three-minute performance, and one winner from each store finals competition will be chosen to move up to the quarterfinals, followed by semifinals at five store locations. Five winners chosen at the semifinals will then convene at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA to compete for the grand prize on January 17, 2015 in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. Advertisement

“Guitar Center is consistently looking for avenues through which to support and inspire musicians,” says Maria Brown, manager of music and entertainment marketing for Guitar Center. “Drum-Off has been one of our most successful programs in that regard. Not only have we seen a proven track record of success with our winners, but after twenty-six years, submissions continue to climb and new talent continues to emerge.”

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000 cash; a Roland TD-30KV electronic drumkit and SPD-SX; a GoPro Hero 3+ music bundle; a high-end drumkit by DW, Tama, Pearl, Gretsch, or OCDP (winner’s choice); a full set of drumsticks, cymbals, and drumheads (winner’s choice); endorsement deals from top manufacturers (winner’s choice); a VIP experience at NAMM 2015; studio time at Converse Rubber Tracks; and features in a Guitar Center Buyer’s Guide and Modern Drummer magazine.

Drum-Off Competition Dates:

Launch/Sign-Ups: August 1, 2014

Store Prelims: September 9, 16, 23

Store Finals: September 30

Quarterfinals: October 21

Semifinals: November 11

Grand Finals: January 17, 201

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Guitar Center Drum-Off is presented by DW, Promark, Orange County Drum and Percussion, LP, Meinl, Roland, Gretsch, Pearl, Vic Firth, Zildjian, Sabian, Remo, Tama, Evans, Drum Channel, Converse, GoPro, and Modern Drummer.

Watch Guitar Center’s Drum-Off 2013 Champion D-Mile’s winning performance at http://youtu.be/rVcrO9tA12A, or watch below.

 

For more information on rules and regulations, visit guitarcenter.com/drumoff.